Kenyan Fugitive Sancho Kibutu Set for Extradition to US After More Than a Decade on the Run

Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a court order paving the way for the extradition of Sancho Kibutu, a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the United States after being convicted in California in a fatal drunk-driving case.

Kibutu appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, where he indicated that he was willing to comply with the extradition request and the orders of the Kenyan court.

According to the extradition proceedings, Kibutu is wanted in the United States in connection with a conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, an offence prosecuted under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code.

The case also includes three special allegations, according to the prosecution.

Fugitive failed to appear for sentencing

The US extradition request states that Kibutu absconded on October 11, 2013, after failing to comply with a summons requiring him to appear before the Superior Court of California in Madera County.

He had been required to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013, but did not attend the proceedings.

More than a decade later, the Kenyan court proceedings have cleared the way for him to be surrendered to US authorities, where he is expected to face the sentencing proceedings that have remained outstanding since 2013.

The case therefore spans more than 11 years from the date Kibutu failed to appear for sentencing.

DPP highlights Kenya-US judicial cooperation

The extradition proceedings were initiated jointly by the governments of Kenya and the United States as part of efforts to facilitate the transfer of persons wanted by foreign courts.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the outcome demonstrated Kenya’s commitment to international cooperation in the administration of justice.

The office said such cooperation helps ensure that people sought by foreign jurisdictions can be brought before the courts dealing with their cases.

The prosecution team in Kibutu’s matter was led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Magdalene Nduati.

They were assisted by Principal Prosecution Counsel Njoki and Prosecution Counsel Fatma Shaban.

With the Kenyan court having issued the extradition order and Kibutu indicating his willingness to comply, the case now moves toward his surrender to US authorities.

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